By Amber Ford
The Mountain Times
With summer in full swing in the Mt. Hood Villages and Mt. Hood National Forest, the Mt. Hood Lions Club is kicking off their annual swim lessons. Beginning in the early 1950s, The Mt. Hood Lions Club has been sponsoring swim lessons for local children the last two weeks of June for the last several years. Providing local children and parents with safety information, swim lessons and certified lifeguards, the Mt. Hood Lions Club is committed to reducing the risk of accidental drowning throughout the community.
“The Lions Club felt the need to address the problem of kids in the local area not having much access to swim lessons,” Mt. Hood Lions Club member and swim instructor Aubrey Hatzi said. “It is important for children to have fun in the water, but also be safe.” Hatzi added. Swim lessons are offered beginning June 17th through June 21st at Camp Arrah Wanna. Registration for the Mt. Hood Lions Club swim lessons are organized by Mt. Hood Lion Patti Gay-Buoy, through emails sent through Welches schools, and parents are to respond via email.
An important part of summer vacation for local children, the Mt. Hood Lions Club swim lessons have a lasting impact as the weather warms up and families head to local rivers and lakes. With several certified lifeguards and swim instructors, children are able to experience lessons in a safe and fun environment. “At all times during swim lessons we have one certified main lifeguard, two certified lifeguard/swim instructors and three other swim instructors,” Hatzi said. “In total we have six staff watching, teaching and maintaining everyone’s safety at the facility,” Hatzi added.
Not only are the Mt. Hood Lions Club swim lessons important for swim safety in the community, they also offer a unique opportunity for children to experience a potential new sport with new friends. “Some kids through these lessons have gone on to join swim teams, which can be an amazing outlet for kids for their overall success in life,” Hatzi said. A swimmer for over fourteen years, Hatzi feels privileged to be able to teach children the importance of swimmer safety, while giving them the opportunity to experience the best part of summer. “Watching kids go from not wanting to place a single fingertip in the water to trying out for a local swim or water polo team, through my own teachings, is amazing to see and so rewarding,” Hatzi said. “Kids learn and grow so much from being in the water,” Hatzi added.
As temperatures rise in the Mt. Hood Villages and families seek local and familiar watering holes, The Mt. Hood Lions Club swim lessons are a great opportunity for parents to feel safe and secure knowing their children have experience and swim safety through these lessons. “It is so important to teach kids to not be afraid of the water and to have fun in a safe way,” Hatzi said. “If we can prevent even one drowning or incident in the water every year through these lessons, our mission has been accomplished,” Hatzi added.
The Mt. Hood Lions Club swim lessons are held the last two weeks in June and are available for children ages four to twelve years of age.